>When a species achieves technology, it rapidly either
>
>a) self-destructs, or
>
>b) pulls an Honest-Annie type transcension

What about the Roddenberry's Star Trek scenario? Upon attaining
technology the civilization is inducted into a galactic federation who
has a non-interference directive in place to avoid tampering with
adolescent cultures not yet ready for first contact. Earth sociologists
already have many documented cases of how modern civilization coming
into contact with primitive tribes has destroyed their culture.